• If you log in, the ads disappear in the forum and gallery. If you need help logging in or getting registered, send request to: webmaster@southernairboat.com

State set to trade away only public Lake Kissimmee property?

D

Daddy Dave

Well-known member
Issue Alert from Kissimmee River Valley Sportsman's Association

Just to bring everyone up to speed on a very important public recreation access issue. 3,200 acres of waterfront "Shady Oaks" property on Lake Kissimmee was owned by the Spate family for many years. This property held a fish camp, campground and many family's weekend places and some permanent homes were also on this property.

The state made them an offer that, after negotiations, the Spates ended up accepting because, according to Tracy Spate, if they didn't accept, the state was going to take it by eminent domain.

Now I find out "through the grapevine," the state is going to do a land swap to a cattlemen / developer named Kenser (sp?). The state bought the entire 3,200 acres, but all of a sudden, now they only need 800 acres for "flowage easements." The private party land swap offer is for the remaining 2,400.

Recently, Florida paid the Lightsey family millions of taxpayer's dollars for a conservation easement on Brahma Island - with no public access provision. Now on a larger piece of lakefront property already in state / public ownership, just a few hundred yards away, they propose to trade away all public access and ownership. This represents the only large public acreage on the south or west shore of Lake Kissimmee.

Our point is: This property should never leave state ownership and under no circumstances, without a traditional uses public recreational access conservation easement.

We have to wonder how Gov. Jeb Bush could allow this to move forward when he is on record as a strong proponent of the restoration of the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, the Kissimmee River and Lake Okeechobee.

This tract is the last remaining pubic parcel before Lake Kissimmee water flows into the Kissimmee Ditch, then the restored Kissimmee River headed toward Lake Okeechobee. We feel it is imperative this land parcel remain in public ownership to guarantee traditional use public access to the Kissimmee Chain for future generations.

We ask airboaters all outdoor sports enthusiasts to support the efforts of KRVSA to keep this piece of public property - PUBLIC.

Thanks,

Danny Brantley
President

Kissimmee River Valley Sportsman's Association
Contact: 863-676-4996
 
Big Daddy,

Unbelieveable!!

Looks like the wolf in sheeps clothing is comin' out again!

I couldn't imagine what Lake Kissimmee would be like with "condo commandos' livin' on the edge of it!

We do and will continue to support the K.R.V.S.A.

Basketcase
 
I made several calls yesterday after reading this post.

What I was told is the deal is not a "trade back" but a "lease back" on the cattle rights.

I've forwarded this thread to United Waterfolwers of Florida.

I suggest you contact the SFWMD.

I would also suggest (if not already attending) that a rep for your group start attending the SFWMD WRAC meetings.
 
This issue is being kept very hush - hush. Danny Brantly is a bull dog when it comes to airboaters rights and public access. he has been given the Royal Run Around - and has also been recently told that this is a "done deal".

The issue alert was made because SOMETHING fishy is there. Someone needs to explain to me why Florida would pay the Lightseys millions for a conservation easement on their private hunting preserve island - Brahma Island - and not get access for a single person who paid the taxes the state paid back to Lightsey.

Now, we own nearby a fine place for a general recreation park for our and future generations of Floridians, Snowbirds and everyone else to gain public access to Lake Kissimmee - there currently is NONE - and they are considering trading it away - for what???
 
I am not sure if this has happened here or not. But the state of Florida has a program where it will buy certain rights for property. This is starting to happen more and more because many people (i.e. Duda etc.) are selling there property to be developed. The state comes in and buys the property for conservation purposes but it will never be made available to the public. The land owner retains the property for ranch purposes (hunting, cattle, etc..) however, they can never break it up and develop it or sell it. I had looked at trying to buy some property that borders the kissimee River and the Broker who had the listing pushed this as a way to get some of the original investment back. Again I don't know if this is the situation here but it very well could be. I will check on the brokers name as he was a big propenent of this bill and maybe someone can talk with him.
 
This is the letter I have sent to the Tampa Tribune, Ft. Myers News Press and St. Petersburg Times. If you want these - or your own questions answered, please feel free to copy / paste or use as guide. Please send this to the news department of your local newspaper or TV station. Hopefully, CaptJeff is right and this is only a cattle lease issue - if not, we need to get in front of this.



There is something going on with the only western shore waterfront Lake Kissimmee property currently held in the public trust.

As I understand the situation to be:

Shady Oaks Fish Camp and the adjoining 2,400 acres was recently purchased from the Spate Family by WMD. This site is at the south west shore of Lake Kissimmee and is only a short way from the outfall at SR 60. There is paved road access from SR 60, there is currently a paved boat ramp and dredged canal into the lake to accommodate periodic lake renewal drawdowns.

WMD took this property -- according to occupying residents -- because much of it would become submerged when the lake was brought up to the required new low water mark. Shady Oaks was evidently given the opportunity to put in a modern sewage treatment facility and retain some of their existing property. They accepted the WMD's purchase offer after the threat of imminent domain proceedings were made to the Spate family -- according to a family member.

Now, the story goes, a "cattleman" has approached WMD with a "land swap" deal. He will get the Shady Oaks property -- less 800 acres for "flowage easements." But, with no public recreation access provision to Lake Kissimmee. This would appear to be a case of WMD trading away the treasury for a pittance. The public has NO PUBLIC ACCESS to Lake Kissimmee on the western shore. There is a small, primitive and very rough launch ramp -- with no dockage or rest room facilities -- beside SR 60 just above the outfall lock that will surely go away when that road is widened in the future.

Florida recently paid the Lightsey family millions to procure a conservation easement on nearby Brahma Island - but, there is no public access involved. It seems to us that if this area was priceless to the point that private landowners would be paid a fortune to prevent future development, then a larger and adjoining piece of property held in the public trust by the WMD would be worth holding onto as well.

Marinas and public waterway access is being eliminated at an alarming rate all over Florida. It seems incredible that a prime piece of property held in public trust by a WMD offering just such public access to a great public waterway would be allowed to be traded away.

Danny Brantley (863-676-4996), KRVSA President and Florida Wildlife Federation Delegate has been doggedly investigating and is being given the run around. He has a source that has told him the "deal is already done."

Is there any help or guidance you can offer?

Dave Markett
 
Allright here goes again.

If you are truly offended that the State, using that in the broadest term, would trade - sell or otherwise dispose of property or the rights thereto that was just purchased with huge amounts of taxpayer money and greatly disrupted the lives of many reidents of SHADY OAKS, even though it was not an airboat friendly camp, THEN THIS IS ONE WAY TO STOP IT.

1.) Put a package together outlining your total opposition to this transaction. If you can place pictures in it that show the before and after and shows the inferior access currently available on SR 60 possibly outlining the dangers of that ramp and surrounding area especially to the novice boater, that would be all the better. The more the better the more you convey your bewilderment the better. BUT BE POLITE, FIRM BUT POLITE, REMIND THEM YOU VOTE, BUT DON'T THREATEN THEM.

2. Send this package you make to: 1.) the govenors office 2.) the secretary of the DEP 3. The board of trustees of the internal improvement fund. 4.) all local state lawmakers, it is important to send it to all of them because probably one of them is the root of this sweetheart deal for the rancher. 5.) all the areas national elected officials 6.) all newspapers you can think of 7.) all environmental groups you can think of 8.) The head of the water management district involved

Now if your not really concerned about this loss well then do nothing and it will be a done deal. There is not time for any committee meetings on this because usually by the time it leaks out to the public it is close to being a done deal. However it can often be undone if enough public outcry is heard.

There are numerous occasions where these deals have happened and sometimes the public can undo them. GOOD LUCK
 
Time: 02:00 PM
Date: Nov 02, 2005
Event: Regular Governing Board Land Resource and Regulatory Committee to discuss and consider District business.
Place: SFWMD Headquarters, B-1 Building, 3301 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach, Florida 33406.
County: Palm Beach
Contact: Director, Governing Board and Executive Services, at (561) 682-6371
Details:

Time: 10:00 AM
Date: Nov 02, 2005
Event: Regular Governing Board Workshop/Meeting
Place: SFWMD Headquarters, B-1 Bldg, 3301 Gun Club Rd, WPB, Florida 33406
County: Palm Beach
Contact: Director, Governing Board and Executive Services, at (561) 682-6371
Details:

Time: 08:30 AM
Date: Nov 02, 2005
Event: Regular Governing Board Finance and Audit Committee to discuss and consider District business.
Place: SFWMD Headquarters, B-1 Building, 3301 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406
County: Palm Beach
Contact: Director, Governing Board and Executive Services (561) 682-6371
Details:


Time: 09:00 AM
Date: Nov 03, 2005
Event: Water Resources Advisory Commission Meeting (WRAC)
Place: SFWMD Headquarters B1 Auditorium 3301 Gun Club Road West Palm Beach, FL 33406
County: Palm Beach
Contact: Rick Smith at 561-682-6517
 
Area: Palm Beach County

Current Term: March 2003 to March 2007

Appointed by: Governor Jeb (John Ellis) Bush

Contact Address:
Bear, Stearns
225 NE Mizner Boulevard, Suite 500
Boca Raton, FL 33432

Contact Phone: (561) 672-4794

FAX: (561) 672-4962

Occupation:
Managing Director of the Public Finance Department for Bear, Sterns and Company, Inc.


Area: Miami-Dade County

Current Term: March 2003 to March 2007

Appointed by: Governor Jeb (John Ellis) Bush

Education:
• Miami Dade Community College – Associate in Arts

Contact Address:
Irela Bagué c/o Gordon Reyes & Partners
150 SE 2nd Avenue, Suite 1302
Miami, FL 33131

Contact Phone: (305) 381-8831

FAX: (305) 381-9889

Email: ibague@sfwmd.gov

Occupation:
Vice-President of Gordon Reyes Company in Miami, a public relations, government affairs firm.


Area: Broward County

Originally Appointed: March 2001

Current Term: March 2002 to March 2006
[Vice-Chair: 2002 - 3/2005]

Appointed by: Governor Jeb (John Ellis) Bush

Education:
• B.S. – Florida A & M University 1988

Contact Address:
SFWMD Governing Board
P.O. Box 24680
West Palm Beach, FL 33416-4680

Contact Phone: (561) 389-8603

FAX: (954) 731-8441

Email: pbthomas@sfwmd.gov

Occupation:
Treasury Analyst with National Council of Compensation Insurance (NCCI), Inc.




Area: Collier, Lee, Hendry and Charlotte counties

Current Term: March 2005 to March 2007

Appointed by: Governor Jeb (John Ellis) Bush

Education:
• BBA, Accounting - Florida Atlantic University, Florida
• AS, Accounting - Ocean County College, New Jersey

Contact Address:
AJC Associates
2730 Leeward Lane
Naples, FL 34103

Contact Phone: (239) 825-7723

FAX: (239) 435-3989

Email: acarlson@sfwmd.gov

Occupation:
President - AJC Associates, Inc., Naples, Florida
~ AJC Associates web site




Area: At-large member for an area which includes St. Lucie, Martin, Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties

Originally Appointed: March 1999

Current Term: March 2002 to March 2006

Appointed by: Governor Jeb (John Ellis) Bush

Education:
• B.A. – Fordham University, Lincoln Center (NY) 1972

Contact Address:
Mailing: P.O. Box 803
Islamorada, FL 33036

Contact Phone: (561) 236-5304

FAX: (305) 852-5428

Email: mcollins@sfwmd.gov

Occupation:
Self-Employed Fishing Guide




Area: Miami-Dade County

Current Term: March 2004 to February 2008
[Chairman: 2002-3/2005]

Appointed by: Governor Jeb (John Ellis) Bush

Education:
• Juris Doctor – Georgetown University Law Center 1988
• B.A. – Cum Laude, University of Miami 1985

Contact Address:
Borgognoni, Gutiérrez and Arza, L.L.P.
2665 South Bayshore Drive, Suite 701
Miami, FL 33133-5402

Contact Phone: (305) 860-2060

FAX: (305) 860-2068

Occupation:
Attorney - Borgognoni, Gutiérrez and Arza, L.L.P.




Area: At-large member for an area which includes St. Lucie, Martin, Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties

Current Term: March 2005 to March 2009

Appointed by: Governor Jeb (John Ellis) Bush

Education:
• B.S. – Agricultural Engineering, University of Florida 1965
• Graduate – Engineering Education System, University of Florida 1965-1968

Contact Address:
LBFH, Inc.
3550 SW Corporate Parkway
Palm City, FL 34990

Contact Phone: (772) 286-3883

FAX: (772) 286-3925

Occupation:
Engineer, Chairman of the Board, LBFH, Inc.




Area: Glades, Highlands, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola and Polk Counties

Current Term: March 2004 to February 2008

Appointed by: Governor Jeb (John Ellis) Bush

Education:
• Juris Doctor – Florida State University College of Law 1993
• Boston University Overseas Program, Paris France, International Studies 1989-1990
• B.S. – Engineering, United States Military Academy – West Point 1986

Contact Address:
Outlook Media Inc.
2295 South Hiawassee Road, Suite 203
Orlando, FL 32835

Contact Phone: (407) 363-1212

FAX: (407) 363-1747

Occupation:
Owner and President of Outlook Media, Inc.




Area: Collier, Lee, Charlotte, Hendry, Glades, Osceola and Okeechobee counties

Current Term: March 2005 to March 2009

Appointed by: Governor Jeb (John Ellis) Bush

Education:
• Florida State University - BS, Accounting, 1976

Contact Address:
Malcolm S. Wade, Jr.
209 Ridgewood Avenue
Clewiston, FL 33440

Contact Phone: (863) 227-0970

FAX: (863) 983-4804

Email: mawade@sfwmd.gov

Occupation:
Senior Vice President, Sugar Operations, U.S. Sugar Corporation
 
CaptJeff,

Thank You for this. I have entered the individuals inti my address book and am working on filling in the few holes in your post. If you have the web address of where you got this from, please send it to me. We will develop an action plan and advise.
 
Following the advice contained above:

24 October 2005,

South Florida Water Management District Governors,
Executive Director, WRAC E & C Members, Other Concerned Parties

We ask for your consideration of and a response to a strong concern of our organization, Kissimmee River Valley Sportsman's Association. There is something going on with the only western shore waterfront Lake Kissimmee property currently held in the public trust.

As we understand this situation to be:

Shady Oaks Fish Camp and the adjoining 3,200 acres was recently purchased from the Spate family by SFWMD. This site is at the south west shore of Lake Kissimmee and is only a short way from the outfall at SR 60. There is paved road access from SR 60, there is currently a paved boat ramp and dredged canal into the lake to accommodate periodic lake renewal drawdowns.

SFWMD took this property -- according to occupying residents -- because much of it would become submerged when the lake was brought up to the required new high water mark. The Spates were evidently given the opportunity to put in a modern sewage treatment facility and retain some of their existing property. They accepted SFWMD's purchase offer after the threat of imminent domain proceedings were made to the Spate family -- according to a family member.

Now, the story goes, a "cattleman" has approached SFWMD with a "land swap" offer deal. He will get the Shady Oaks property -- less 800 acres for "flowage easements." But, with no public recreation access provision to Lake Kissimmee. This would appear to be a case of SFWMD trading away the treasury for a pittance. The public has NO PUBLIC ACCESS to Lake Kissimmee on the western shore. There is a small, steep, primitive and very rough launch ramp -- with no dockage or rest room facilities -- beside SR 60 just above the outfall lock that will surely go away when that road is widened in the future.

Florida recently paid the Lightsey family millions to procure a conservation easement on nearby Brahma Island - but, there is no public access involved. It seems to us that if this area was priceless to the point that private landowners would be paid a fortune to prevent future development, then a larger and adjoining piece of property held in the public trust by the SFWMD would be worth holding onto as well.

Marinas and public waterway access are being eliminated at an alarming rate all over Florida. It seems incredible that a prime piece of property held in public trust by SFWMD - offering just such public access to a great public waterway would be allowed to be traded away.

We have been doggedly investigating this issue and are being given the run around. Please advise as to whether or not this piece of property is under consideration for or is actively being negotiated for trade.

Danny Brantley
Jdbran7@aol.com
863-676-4996
President

Kissimmee River Valley Sportsman's Association
PO Box 1299
Dundee, FL 33838
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top